• Captor Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company specialized in the development of drugs based on Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD), signed an agreement with The Medical Research Agency (Agencja Badań Medycznych) for PLN 52.2 million (US$13M) funding for its project entitled "Study and clinical development of a first-in-class small-molecule drug candidate for colorectal cancer treatment, based on the stimulation of  immune system cells to increased anti-cancer activity through targeted protein degradation." The total project cost is PLN 74.3 million (US$18M).

 

• The main goal of the project is to develop a selective and potent degrader of a novel molecular target as a new form of  immunotherapy for CRC (colorectal cancer). Analysis of clinical CRC samples demonstrated that increased expression of an undisclosed molecular target in tumor infiltrating T cells is associated with their impaired proliferation and activity. Studies in preclinical models confirmed that genetic inactivation of the molecular target in T cells resulted in increased antitumor immunity and suppression of tumor growth.

 

• In June 2023 the project submitted by Captor Therapeutics was recommended for funding by The Medical Research Agency as part of a competition for the development of targeted or personalized medicines  based on nucleic acids and small molecule compounds. The signature of the contract is the conclusion of the grant application process.

 

- The contract signed with The Medical Research Agency proves that we are a credible and competent partner for institutions supporting the development of innovation in the field of biotechnology. Our projects generate  medical and industrial interest, and we know how to use the obtained funding effectively, which has already been proven many times. Prior to signing this new agreement ,we have signed grant contracts worth PLN 175 million in grants, enabling us to reach our project milestones and construct a solid pipeline of novel potential medicines - said Dr. Tom Shepherd, CEO at Captor Therapeutics.

Captor Therapeutics is a global leader in TPD and developed it's proprietary discovery Optigrade^TM platform to identify novel targeted protein degrader drug candidates.

CRC is the 3rd  commonest cancer worldwide, and the second most deadly cancer accounting for 10% of global cancer incidence and 9.4% of cancer deaths There were more than 1.9 million new cases of colorectal cancer in 2020. With rates increasing, the global number of new CRC cases is predicted to reach 3.2 million in 2040. The large number of cases poses a global public health challenge but also a significant commercial opportunity for effective medicines.

- Keytruda is the best-selling drug in oncology generating over 21 billion dollars annually, and works by activating the immune system to fight cancer cells. Given its mechanism of action, the immunosuppressive activity of the developed degraders is expected to restrict immune responses in most cancer types, thus further increasing the therapeutic and commercial potential of the drug candidate. Development of this new molecular target epresent a novel therapeutic approach, which could address significant unmet medical needs and offer important clinical benefits for many cancer patients.– said Michał Walczak, CSO at Captor Therapeutics.

 

About Captor Therapeutics

Captor Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of breakthrough drugs based on Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) technology for the treatment of diseases with high unmet medical needs. TPD allows an innovative approach to developing new drugs that can focus on the new molecular targets considered incurable using conventional methods of drug development and provide new treatment methods for diseases where existing drugs do not provide optimal therapeutic benefits. Captor is currently developing therapeutics for incurable, severe diseases, including malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

 

For more information on Captor Therapeutics visit:  http://www.captortherapeutics.com

LinkedIn: @CaptorTherapeutics

Twitter: @CaptorTherapeu1